Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi (SHP)
New Delhi, Jul 15: On Saturday, an Air India pilot was grounded for three months after he tested positive in pre-flight breathalyzer test.
This incident came to light when the pilot put in a request to fly in the cockpit as a crew member. The request came in after the flight from Delhi to Bengaluru was completely booked, since the pilot could not fly as passenger he considered flying as an additional crew member.
In an emergency situation, Air India allows staff to fly in the cockpit but only after they have passed certain procedures. One of the procedures being, passing the breathalyzer test, which the pilot in questioned failed. Once it was found that the pilot did not comply with the DGCA rules, he was deboarded and the matter was reported to Director General of Civil Aviation.
According to sources, the employee was a senior Airbus A320 pilot who should have been well versed with the rules and regulations.